Pool chair lift and associated method of use

Abstract

A chair lift apparatus adapted to transport an individual into and out of a water pool, the chair lift apparatus that includes a frame, a chair, a lift arm, having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the lift arm is rotatably attached to the frame and the second end portion of the lift arm is operatively attached to the chair, a linkage, and a linear actuator, having a first actuator portion and a second actuator portion located within a frame, the linear actuator is operable to move the linear actuator between a first actuator position and a second actuator position. There is a protective cover to provide protection from environmental damage and the space between the frame and the linear actuator does not constitute a pinch point when the chair is above the edge of the water pool.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A chair lift apparatus adapted to transport an individual into and out of a water pool, the chair lift apparatus comprising:
 a frame; 
 a chair having a seat portion; 
 a lift arm, having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the lift arm is rotatably attached to the frame and the second end portion of the lift arm is operatively attached to the chair; 
 a linkage; 
 a linear actuator, having a first actuator portion and a second actuator portion, the linear actuator is operable to move the linear actuator between a first actuator position and a second actuator position, the first and second actuator portions are spaced a first distance when the linear actuator is in the first actuator position, the first and second actuator portions are spaced a second distance when the linear actuator is in the second actuator position, the second distance is different from the first distance, the first actuator portion of the linear actuator is operatively connected to the frame and the second actuator portion of the linear actuator is operatively connected to the lift arm, wherein the linear actuator, the first actuator portion, and the second actuator portion are located internally within the frame; 
 the lift arm and linear actuator being configured and adapted such that movement of the linear actuator between the first actuator position and the second actuator position causes movement of the chair between a first angular position and a second angular position, the first angular position being a position in which the chair is above an edge of the pool, the second angular position being a position in which at least a portion of the chair is submerged in the water of the pool, the chair moving along a curved path as the chair moves between the first angular position and the second angular position; and 
 the linkage being operatively coupled to at least two of the chair, the lift arm, the frame and the linear actuator, the linkage being adapted to maintain the seat portion of the chair generally level as the chair moves between the first angular position and the second angular position. 
 
     
     
       2. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chair moves between the first angular position and the second angular position to transport the individual into and out of a water pool with a rotational movement through a single plane. 
     
     
       3. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a protective cover that at least partially extends over the frame to prevent human interaction with the linear actuator, the first actuator portion, and the second actuator portion to prevent inadvertent human interaction during operation. 
     
     
       4. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the protective cover comprises chemically treated fabric to provide protection from weather and environmental damage. 
     
     
       5. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the chemically treated fabric includes canvas. 
     
     
       6. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the space between the frame and the lift arm does not constitute a potential crushing, sheering or pinching area for human extremities when the chair is any position. 
     
     
       7. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the space between the frame and the chair does not constitute a potential crushing, sheering or pinching area for human extremities when the chair is any position. 
     
     
       8. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the space between the frame and the lift arm is at least four inches when the chair is in the first angular position above the edge of the water pool. 
     
     
       9. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the linkage includes a control arm, having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the control arm is rotatably attached to the frame, a linking member that is rotatably connected to the second end portion of the control arm and a shaft attached to the chair, wherein the shaft is rotatably connected to the second end portion of the lift arm and the shaft is rotatably connected to the linking member to maintain the chair in a substantially vertical position throughout the curve between the first angular position and the second angular position. 
     
     
       10. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator is operable to move the linear actuator between a first actuator position and a second actuator position with electrical power. 
     
     
       11. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising an electronic control that is electrically connected to the linear actuator. 
     
     
       12. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a mechanism that is capable of receiving electrical power from at least one of a direct current power supply, an alternating current power supply and a battery, which is electrically connected to the electronic control. 
     
     
       13. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the battery that is electrically connected to the electronic control and mounted to the frame. 
     
     
       14. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising a protective cover that at least partially extends over the frame, the linear actuator, the electronic control, and the battery. 
     
     
       15. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a wireless controller that is electrically connected to the electronic control. 
     
     
       16. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a solar panel that is electrically connected to the electronic control. 
     
     
       17. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising a battery charger that is electrically connected to the battery. 
     
     
       18. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising a solar panel that is electrically connected to the battery. 
     
     
       19. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chair includes a back portion. 
     
     
       20. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a footrest that is attached to the seat portion of the chair. 
     
     
       21. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the footrest is retractable. 
     
     
       22. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising a pair of armrests attached on each side of the chair between the back portion and the seat portion. 
     
     
       23. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the pair of armrests is retractable. 
     
     
       24. A chair lift apparatus adapted to transport an individual into and out of a water pool, the chair lift apparatus comprising:
 a frame; 
 a chair having a seat portion; 
 a lift arm, having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the lift arm is rotatably attached to the frame and the second end portion of the lift arm is operatively attached to the chair; 
 a linkage; 
 a linear actuator, having a first actuator portion and a second actuator portion, the linear actuator is operable to move the linear actuator between a first actuator position and a second actuator position, the first and second actuator portions are spaced a first distance when the linear actuator is in the first actuator position, the first and second actuator portions are spaced a second distance when the linear actuator is in the second actuator position, the second distance is different from the first distance, the first actuator portion of the linear actuator is operatively connected to the frame and the second actuator portion of the linear actuator is operatively connected to the lift arm, wherein the linear actuator, the first actuator portion, and the second actuator portion are located internally within the frame; 
 the lift arm and linear actuator being configured and adapted such that movement of the linear actuator between the first actuator position and the second actuator position causes movement of the chair between a first angular position and a second angular position, the first angular position being a position in which the chair is above an edge of the pool, the second angular position being a position in which at least a portion of the chair is submerged in the water of the pool, the chair moving along a curved path as the chair moves between the first angular position and the second angular position; 
 the linkage being operatively coupled to at least two of the chair, the lift arm, the frame and the linear actuator, the linkage being adapted to maintain the seat portion of the chair generally level as the chair moves between the first angular position and the second angular position; 
 an electronic control electrically connected to the rotatable motor; 
 a low voltage power supply that is electrically connected to the electronic control; and 
 a protective cover enclosing the frame, the linear actuator including the first actuator portion and the second actuator portion, the electronic control and the battery for safety and environmental protection, wherein the space between the frame and the linear actuator does not constitute a potential crushing, sheering or pinching area for human extremities when the chair in the first angular position above an edge of the water pool. 
 
     
     
       25. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the space between the frame and the lift arm is at least four inches when the chair is in any position. 
     
     
       26. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the linkage includes a control arm, having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the control arm is rotatably attached to the frame, a linking member that is rotatably connected to the second end portion of the control arm and a shaft attached to the chair, wherein the shaft is rotatably connected to the second end portion of the lift arm and the shaft is rotatably connected to the linking member to maintain the chair in a substantially vertical position throughout the curve between the first angular position and the second angular position. 
     
     
       27. A chair lift apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the protective cover includes chemically treated fabric to provide protection for human safety and from weather and environmental damage. 
     
     
       28. A method for utilizing a chair lift apparatus adapted to transport an individual into and out of a water pool, the method comprising:
 utilizing a linear actuator, having a first actuator portion and a second actuator portion, the linear actuator is operable to move the linear actuator between a first actuator position and a second actuator position, the first and second actuator portions are spaced a first distance when the linear actuator is in the first actuator position, the first and second actuator portions are spaced a second distance when the linear actuator is in the second actuator position, the second distance is different from the first distance, the first actuator portion of the linear actuator is operatively connected to a frame and the second actuator portion of the linear actuator is operatively connected to a lift arm, wherein the linear actuator, the first actuator portion, and the second actuator portion are located internally within the frame, the lift arm and linear actuator being configured and adapted such that movement of the linear actuator between the first actuator position and the second actuator position causes movement of the chair between a first angular position and a second angular position, the first angular position being a position in which the chair is above an edge of the pool, the second angular position being a position in which at least a portion of the chair is submerged in the water of the pool, the chair moving along a curved path as the chair moves between the first angular position and the second angular position; and 
 utilizing a linkage being operatively coupled to at least two of the chair, the lift arm, the frame, and the linear actuator, the linkage being adapted to maintain the seat portion of the chair generally level as the chair moves between the first angular position and the second angular position. 
 
     
     
       29. A method for utilizing a chair lift apparatus adapted to transport an individual into and out of a water pool according to  claim 28 , wherein a space between the frame and the lift arm does not constitute a potential crushing, sheering or pinching area for human extremities when the chair is any position. 
     
     
       30. A method for utilizing a chair lift apparatus adapted to transport an individual into and out of a water pool according to  claim 29 , wherein the space between the frame and the lift arm is at least four inches when the chair is in any position. 
     
     
       31. A method for utilizing a chair lift apparatus adapted to transport an individual into and out of a water pool according to  claim 28 , further comprising a protective cover enclosing the frame, the linear actuator including the first actuator portion and the second actuator portion. 
     
     
       32. A method for utilizing a chair lift apparatus adapted to transport an individual into and out of a water pool according to  claim 31 , wherein the protective cover includes chemically treated fabric to provide protection for human safety and from weather and environmental damage.